'Graphic' and 'threatening' cards released in harassment investigation

'Graphic' and 'threatening' cards sent from Bristol area

SAMPLES of cards sent to a woman over several years have been released by police in a bid to trace their sender.

A woman in her 40s contacted Avon and Somerset police in January 2016 to report the cards she had been receiving from a man calling himself Gordon.

The cards have been sent over six years from various locations in the Bristol postmark area but police say that they have become more graphic and threatening in nature over the past two years and include threats to commit rape.

The victim said: “This has been going on for so long - someone out there must know who it is.

“Whether it's the distinctive crosses, the handwriting or the name they call themselves, if you recognise anything that could help the police, please let them know.”

The cards are:

Usually signed ‘Gordon’ and always with five crosses (one large X and four small Xs around it)

Always written in capitals

Often have an animal pictured on the front, regularly cats

Sent from the Bristol postmark area

Lead officer DC Patrick Prescott said: “We’re releasing extracts of the offender’s handwriting and signature as we believe someone will recognise the style and know who the sender is.

“Do you recognise this handwriting, the name Gordon or the signature with the five crosses? Do you know who may be sending these cards?

“If you work in a shop which sells cards, or if you work in the postal service, do you recognise the handwriting or the distinctive pattern of crosses?

“The content is becoming increasingly sexually explicit and aggressive in nature and includes threats to commit rape and stalking offences.

“We’ve been working with a criminal profiler at the National Crime Agency to examine and risk-assess the offender’s behaviour and are continuing to progress numerous lines of enquiry.

“Thorough analysis of the communications has been carried out and the possibility the offender has sent, or is sending cards or letters with similar content to other people cannot be excluded.

"If you have been receiving similar correspondence then we want to hear from you.

“You may recognise one or more of the characteristics but can’t believe the person you have in mind would commit offences like this. It could be a colleague, friend or even a family member.

"We’d ask you to please report any concerns or suspicions to help us make this stop.

“Harassment offences can cause significant distress to victims and disrupt their daily lives but we’ll do all we can to make sure we investigate crimes, gather evidence and whenever possible, bring offenders to justice.”

Anyone with any information should call Avon and Somerset police on 101 quoting reference 5216008248.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here